The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1887-04-08
ADVENTURE IN A GAMING HOUSE.

1t was in the Spring Of 1S-that found nv.
sOlf gliding upon the waters Of tho mighty
Mississippi. and bound for the Crescent City,
New Orleans.
With single exception, had formed NO
travelling acquaintances on board the boat. al.
Though l had been nearly two days upon my
journey. which was becoming somewhat monoto.
noqs.i Ihs Individual with whom I, singulsriy
ens4 fiaternized, seemed, like myself, to
have but little inclination to extend his so-
quaintance among the passengers, though he
sesSnsd 10 ftsaconstautly upon the lookout for
some one, and from the close manner in which
he regarded the operations Of two or three In
dividusls, whose rrofuso display Of vest chains
and jsweTy, and proficiency with cards 1t the
tables in the saloon, betrayed their profession,
L more than once set him down as some sort of
police detective in disguise.
He called himself George Thorn, Of Ken
lucky ; so his card read, which he gave me in
exchange for mine. In truth he was o noble
specimen of the Bue Grass State. Full six feet
In height, clear intelligent blue eye, broad
forehead, and light curly hair, muscular arms,
aud the chest Of Hercules, he challenged the
admiration o. more than one Of the passengers,
As, with his serious and never smiling face, he
paced tho promenade deck, or sat apparently
buried in thought in the saloon.
Did yeu ever play at cards p said to him.
as he left group that were standing about a
table Of four players, and noting the progress
Of the game. had frequently seen him in
vited, but he invariably, like myself. refused
10 participate in the game.
'oh, yes, but where is the use OF pl.yiur
herej those fellows (nedding towards the
players) can tell every card in the pack by the
backs, and they are trying hard TO pluck some
poor pigeon from among the Passengers, but
with indifferent success beware Of them, sir
thanked him for his friendly warning, and
at the same time expressed my astonishu ent
at his affirmation. TO convince me Of the
truth OF it, he called tho steward Of the boat.
and ordered him to bring him fresh pack of
cards, which were brought, and he handed the
pack to me, bidding me 10 shuttle them. 1 did
so' when he Immediately selected nearly every
ace and king from the..psek without looking 1t
the face Of them. Next hs dealt them In two
parcels, one 10 me and one to himself, whom.
upon examination, found that the cards AZ
real value in the game were in his hand, and I
could not detect the least unfairness as be
dealt them.
You see,' said he, smilingly, at my look Of
sstonishment, rhe advantage an expert In these
matters has over even skilful player
Il do, indeed,' replied ], astoni,hsd at nv
fellow travellers dexterity, and beginning to
think he might be q reformed gambler. or
playing possum' for some purpose or other
but, as he did not urge or even invite me to
play, nor had played with any one else, and
threw the cards aside with an expression of
disgust too natural to be assumed, came TO
the conclusion that my suspicious were unjust,
and my travelling acquaintance was Q riddle
yet TO be solved.
Early the next morning the boat arrived at
New Orleans, and, amid the hurry and hustle |
Of dsbarka,ion, lost my friend the Ksntuek.
ian, not even seeing him to bid him adieu. |
That same evening, however, after visiting the |
theatre. was enjoying the cool air and fra
grant Havana. 10 the rotunda Of the 81. Charles
Hotel, and conrersing with friend from the
North, whom had fortunately met, when
whom should encounter but my sts.ubsat %.
auaintance